Dutch short track star Jens van 't Wout has a gold tooth and now has 2 gold medals at the Olympics

MILAN (AP) — Dutch short track speedskating star Jens van ’t Wout can taste victory.

Van 't Wout, who has a gold tooth because of a skating accident seven years ago, won his second Olympic gold medal on Saturday night.

His victory in the 1,500 meters came two days after he topped the podium in the 1,000 at the Milan Cortina Games.

“Getting the golden tooth for me was a special moment, because after my accident I did have a little bit of time to decide if I dared to continue with the sport,” he said of the collision that knocked out two teeth and left him with a scar on his right cheek.

“Now, getting these gold medals and having a golden tooth, it’s just a nice connection.”

South Korea’s Daeheon Hwang took the silver medal and Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia was third for bronze as Canadian short track star William Dandjinou had to settle for fifth.

Van ’t Wout raised his arms after crossing the line in 2 minutes, 12.219 seconds and immediately skated over to a sea of orange-clad teammates and family members to share hugs at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Hwang, the gold medalist in the 2022 Beijing Games, finished in 2:12.304.

The results were held up for several minutes for a penalty review that didn’t change the podium.

The 24-year-old van ’t Wout said he came into these Games not particularly confident because he didn't have a great season.

“I'm super, super pumped. I always dreamed to become an Olympic champion, but I never thought in my mind that I could win two distances,” he said.

Because of penalties in the semifinals, three skaters were advanced to the final. That meant a crowded field of nine, instead of the usual seven. At a teammate's urging, van ’t Wout watched a video of the 2022 Beijing final that Hwang won — it was also crowded.

“I tried to maybe copy his tactic a little bit — stay in the front. I have no idea how it worked but it worked. That's the beauty of short track,” he said.

Canada, still in search of its first gold medal of these Games, had high hopes for Dandjinou, who made a brief pledge after his disappointing final.

“I only have one thing to say — one day I will be an Olympic champion,” he said. “Mark my words.”

Dandjinou, the reigning 1,500 meters world champion, also didn’t get on the podium in the 1,000 meters.

Van ’t Wout said he felt bad he couldn't spend more time with his girlfriend on Valentine's Day.

Alas, there was a gold medal to win.

“I gave some flowers to my girlfriend, but I couldn't do much, and I'm pretty sure it's almost (midnight), so I think it was probably the worst Valentine's Day for her.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands jumps on the podium to receive his medal after the short track speed skating men's 1500m at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

From left to right, silver medalist Hwang Daeheon of South Korea, gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands and bronze medalist Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia receive their medals after the short track speed skating men's 1500m at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands leads in the quarterfinals during the men's 1500 meter short track speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands celebrates after the short track speed skating men's 1500m final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands celebrates after the short track speed skating men's 1500m final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s healthy and wants to play even as the Milwaukee Bucks continue to say the two-time MVP is too injured to take the floor.

Antetokounmpo missed a 10th straight game on Friday night against the Boston Celtics due to what the team has described as a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since landing awkwardly during a March 15 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

“I’m healthy,” Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Athletic before Friday’s game. “I hate it when people force me to do things against my nature. I’m a player. I get paid to play.”

For the last couple of weeks, Antetokounmpo has participated in pregame warmups without showing any apparent signs of injury.

Antetokounmpo also noted that the Bucks should have known this about him since the 31-year-old has spent his entire 13-year career in Milwaukee.

Throughout that time, Antetokounmpo has had a reputation for rapid returns from injury, most notably when he hyperextended his knee during Milwaukee’s 2021 playoff run but missed two games before returning to lead the Bucks to their first title in half a century.

“You know who you’re dealing with,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “So, for somebody to come and tell me to not play or to not compete, it’s like a slap in my face.”

The Bucks still had a remote chance of earning a 10th straight playoff berth at the time of that Indiana game, but they were officially eliminated from contention last week. There’s also the possibility of Antetokounmpo getting hurt again if he returns to action — he has missed a career-high 41 games this season and had two extended absences due to calf strains.

“I understand the circumstances — yes, we’re not going to be in the playoffs,” Antetokounmpo said. “For some people’s eyes, it’s not worth it for me to be out there. But for me, it’s something that goes against my nature.”

Antetokounmpo also wanted the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother, Alex, who made his NBA debut Sunday. There was a possibility of three Antetokounmpo brothers playing alongside each other in the same game, since Giannis’ older brother, Thanasis, also is on the Bucks.

“When my dad passed away, I pretty much raised (Alex),” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s able to be on the team and suit up and chase an opportunity to be great. You really think I don’t want to suit up and play with my brother? Anybody who thinks that is an idiot.”

Antetokounmpo’s desire to play — and the Bucks’ wishes to rest him — drew the attention of the National Basketball Players Association last month.

“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the union said in a statement. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”

This dispute between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks comes at a time when his future in Milwaukee is uncertain. Antetokounmpo’s name dominated league-wide discussions leading up to the trade deadline, though the Bucks ultimately kept him.

Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a four-year contract extension worth up to $275 million in October. If he doesn’t sign the extension, Antetokounmpo could become a free agent after the 2026-27 season, or the Bucks could decide to trade him beforehand.

Now they find themselves at odds over how to handle the rest of this season.

“I don’t know where the relationship goes from there,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’ve got to go to couples therapy.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Injured Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, center right, talks with an official, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)